Tilal Sweihan:The opening round of the fourth season of the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge will commence on Saturday, 17 October, in Tilal Sweihan. Organized by the Abu Dhabi Sports Council in collaboration with the Emirates Motorsports Organisation (EMSO), the event will feature a diverse group of local and international competitors across various racing categories.
According to Emirates News Agency, this year's opening round will include 113 competitors and crews across four main categories. The categories will see participation from 71 in the motorcycle category, 13 in the quad bike category, 9 in the car category, and 20 in the buggy category. Participants represent 23 nationalities, bringing together seasoned racers and emerging talents alike. Notably, Emirati competitors such as Mohammed Al Balooshi, Hamdan Al Ali, and Khalifa Al Rumaithi will compete in the motorcycle category, while Mansour Al Helei and Khalid Al Kindi will participate in the car category.
The motorcycle competition will include several classes such as 450cc, Over 450cc, Marathon, Adventure, Veterans, Youth, and Women. Meanwhile, the car category will feature the T3 and T4 classes, along with quad bike races and buggy competitions in the Pro category. Female competitors are also expected to participate across the motorcycle, car, and buggy categories.
The event will take place in the Sweihan Dunes, where the natural desert landscape provides an ideal backdrop for Baja racing. The demanding sandy terrain requires advanced driving, navigation, and vehicle control skills, offering participants a challenging experience that emphasizes speed, endurance, and precision.
As the Abu Dhabi Baja Challenge enters its fourth season, it continues to serve as a significant platform for motorsports. The event promotes expanded participation and provides local talent with opportunities to compete alongside international racers, reinforcing the presence of desert rally racing in Abu Dhabi's sports calendar. All participating vehicles will undergo technical inspections before the competition begins, with final classifications confirmed based on inspection outcomes in line with the event's technical and organizational regulations.
